How to Make Simple Syrup for Cocktails

Learn how to make simple syrup for cocktails so your drinks come out perfect every time. With just two ingredients, you'll achieve a syrup that will turn your homemade drink into a bar-worthy cocktail!

What is Simple Syrup

Simple syrup is a thick, sweet liquid used to sweeten cocktails made with two ingredients: water and sugar.

Heat is needed to dissolve the sugar into the water and turn it into syrup. This sweet liquid is added to cocktails and drinks to add sweetness and can be flavored.

Simple Syrup for Cocktails

Adding simple syrup while mixing up a cocktail is the best way to sweeten any drink since it mixes well without separation.

Syrups are also a great way to flavor cocktails: make them spicy, add tang, make them herbal-flavored, and more.

Ingredients for Simple Syrup

This recipe couldn't be any easier to make. You seriously just need two easy ingredients! Here are the ONLY things you'll need:

• water: water is the base for the simple syrup. Tap or filtered.
• sugar: granulated, white sugar is what you need here.

How to make Simple Syrup for Cocktails

You'd think that water and sugar would mix easily, and they do, but it needs to be heated first!

To make simple syrup you'll need to:

1. Heat the water
   In a small saucepan, over medium heat, heat up water.
2. Add the sugar
   Just before the water boils, when bubbles begin to form, add the sugar, and with a rubber spatula, mix to dissolve the sugar into the water. Once dissolved, turn off the heat immediately.
3. Cool it down
   Let the syrup cool down to room temperature before using or storing.
4. Storage
   Transfer syrup into a glass jar with the help of a funnel and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Rich Simple Syrup (2:1 ratio, sweeter)

Instead of the traditional one part sugar to one part water, rich simple syrup is thicker and sweeter and it's made with a 2:1 sugar to water ratio following the same process.

Many bartenders and home cocktail enthusiasts prefer to use rich simple syrup because of the rich syrup's thicker texture. It can add a little more body and mouthfeel to your cocktails.

Can I Use Sugar Instead of Simple Syrup to Sweeten a Cocktail?

No matter how much you shake a cold cocktail, sugar will not dissolve in your drink. Undissolved granules will sink to the bottom of your drink leaving you with a less-than-optimal alcoholic drink.

How to Store Simple Syrup

Once cooled, refrigerate simple syrup in a glass jar for up to 3 weeks before using it in classic cocktails like Tequila Champagne or a Raspberry Margarita.

Simple Syrup for Cocktails

Servings: 24

With this simple syrup for cocktails, nothing will stop you from creating the best cocktail, ever!

5 from 9 votes

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Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

• In a small saucepan, over medium heat, heat up water.
• Just before it boils, when bubbles begin to form, add the sugar into the hot water, and with a rubber spatula, mix to dissolve the sugar into the water. Once dissolved, turn off the heat immediately.
• Let the syrup cool down to room temperature before using or storing.
• Transfer syrup into a glass jar with the help of a funnel and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

For a rich simple syrup, use 2 cups sugar and 1 cup water. Follow the same recipe directions.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 tablespoon | Calories: 32kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 0.2mg | Sugar: 8g | Calcium: 0.4mg | Iron: 0.004mg